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July 24, 2008

Nicaraguans Encouraged to Eat Poultry to Combat Global Food Crisis

by Sam Savage

Nicaraguans encouraged to eat poultry to combat global food crisis

MANAGUA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Nicaraguan Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce Veronica Rojas on Tuesday encouraged Nicaraguans to have poultry, vegetables and beans in their daily diet, as they remained largely unaffected by the global food crisis.

Poultry, vegetables and beans were basic food with low and stable prices in the local market, Rojas told reporters.

Nicaragua undergoes every Monday a rise in basic food prices, like rice and sugar, forcing its people to find new options for their daily diet.

With efforts of the government and poultry dealers, however, the price of chicken dropped by 5 percent this week, said Rojas.

"The prices of vegetables have dropped this week while the beans price remains the same as 10 days ago, between 15 and 16 Nicaraguan cordobas (7 and 8 U.S. cents) a pound (0.45 kg)," said Rojas.

Sellers and consumers complained Tuesday of a rise in sugar and rice prices. Both are staple foods in the daily diet. And this week's price rise has affected the poor.

The current price of a quintal (100 kg) of rice is 1,135 cordobas (59.7 dollars) in the national market and it was 1,070 cordobas (56 dollars) last week.

The cost of basic goods are going up despite the government's weekly observation on the trend of prices.

The government has decided to reduce customs on materials necessary for production and basic consumer goods like food and medicines to combat the hike in prices.